BUFFALO — When Zemgus Girgensons was weighing his options for the next step in his hockey career last offseason, making a playoff appearance was at the top of his list.
After spending a decade with the Buffalo Sabres, who are currently enduring a 13-season playoff drought that looks set to extend to 14, Girgensons believed joining the Tampa Bay Lightning would give him the best shot at postseason hockey.
“That was definitely the main reason why I came here with the players they have and the staff,” Girgensons said. “It was almost known, it was possible to make it.”
Now, at 31 years old and with 764 NHL games under his belt, Girgensons is headed to his first Stanley Cup playoffs.
Just hours before the Lightning’s 3-2 shootout loss in Buffalo on Saturday, Tampa Bay secured their eighth consecutive playoff berth, tying for the second-longest active streak in the league. Over the past 12 years, they’ve reached the postseason 11 times, missing out only once by a single point.
With six games remaining, the Lightning trail the Toronto Maple Leafs by four points for the Atlantic Division lead — which would guarantee home-ice advantage for at least the first two rounds — but they hold a two-point lead over the Florida Panthers for second place, which would still earn them home ice in a potential first-round matchup.
“Just a lot of excitement, looking forward to it,” Girgensons said about making the playoffs. “I mean, the job is not done yet here. We still got something to go to try to get that home-ice advantage. We still have work to do.
Zemgus Girgensons gets a tribute video, sticktaps from both benches and a nice ovation from the fans here in Buffalo. #gobolts #sabrehood pic.twitter.com/l9Ie4ZbAyd
— Eduardo A. Encina (@EddieInTheYard) April 5, 2025
t was surreal for Zemgus Girgensons to have it happen in Buffalo, a place where he was beloved for his gritty style of play that perfectly embodied the city’s spirit. During the first period, the fans gave him a warm reception, which included a tribute video highlighting his time with the Sabres. There were even a few fans at KeyBank Center sporting Girgensons’ No. 28 Sabres jerseys.
“It was definitely weird to start, I think, (at least) the first couple of shifts,” Girgensons admitted about his first game back in Buffalo. “But after that, it felt just like a regular game, and it was nice to see the video. It was good. I don’t like attention, so I was hoping it wasn’t too long.”
Although his statistics may not fully reflect it, Girgensons has given the Lightning exactly what they were hoping for when they signed him to a three-year, $850,000 average annual value contract in July.
He’s been a key contributor on the fourth line, which thrives on forechecking to set the tone. Girgensons seamlessly filled the role left by Tyler Motte, partnering with Luke Glendening on a penalty kill unit that’s ranked among the top five in the league for much of the season. His 161 hits, which match his career high, currently lead the Lightning.
Girgensons has also brought added versatility to the team. When Nick Paul moved up to the top six, Girgensons stepped into the role of third-line center. He quickly adapted to playing on the team’s top matchup line with Anthony Cirelli and Brandon Hagel, excelling in a role that required a willingness to battle in the corners and adopt the puck-hounding mentality that has been key to their success.
Although Girgensons has only two goals and six points in 76 games this season—and while he would like to improve his offensive output (he has a 2.5% shooting percentage and had a rough start, taking 55 games to score his first goal and 10 games to earn his first assist)—the Lightning didn’t bring him in for his scoring ability.
According to Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois and head coach Jon Cooper, the key to their success lies in having great players, but the role players who fit well are just as crucial in reaching the postseason. When they sought a physical forward who could contribute on the penalty kill and be flexible in various positions, Girgensons was seen as an important asset to the team’s overall success. This is why the Lightning committed to him for three years.
“He’s low-maintenance, I’ll tell you that,” Cooper said. “He is a coach’s dream. He listens, he knows what to ask, he works hard, he’s a gem, a great guy in the room. Just a bunch of positives about that kid. And he gives you everything he has. He’s been a bit of a Swiss Army knife for us.”
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